Partial placenta previa and wanting to book c section for 39 weeks.

[Savama]

I had a scan at 20, 28 and 34 weeks showing a partial placenta previa, it is posterior covering the os. I don’t know if it is worth to have it checked again because someone told me posterior placenta position means less chance of moving out of the way.
The fact is that I don’t want to take the baby early, I want to get as close as possible to 39 weeks to have a c section. Am I been to unreasonable?
I’m talking to the consultant this week.

I had placenta previa with DD2. It was 18 years ago mind... maybe things have changed. My section was planned for 38 weeks but at 32 weeks I stood up and bleed everywhere.

I was rushed in and then had to have steroids for lung development in prep for possible future full abruption and early delivery.

I remained in hospital until 38 weeks and could not even leave the ward for a walk to restaurant, as they need to get me on the theatre table immediately if I finally had a full abruption.

At 38 weeks I finally has DD2 via CS. Unfortunately I still had major issues and needed a blood transfusion.

DD2 was absolutely fine though. She was my biggest, healthiest baby at 7.14lb.

I would maybe listen and think about going with the time they recommend. The knife edge of an abruption is scary. Pushing towards due day could mean labour and that may be catastrophic if you are not close enough to hospital.

Good luck. A Section is fine. I had 4 in.total... all at 38 weeks. All healthy sizes and bouncing well.

If it's covering the os then it's not a partial previa, it's full. The consultant will make the best decision based on the baby's development and the very real risk to your health and life.

I'm having an ELCS on Thursday when she'll be 37+4. I've had steroid injections to mature her lungs and feel it is the safest option.

I had total placenta previa in my last pregnancy. For other reasons, I had an earlier c section but if all had gone to plan, I would have had a planned section at the end of the 38th week, beginning of 39th. I was just told to come in if I bled or if I went into labour.

I know it sounds crazy, but I do feel frustrated to have to take baby out early. Maybe I’m in a bit of denial that I actually got pp, they said it is the edge of the placenta that is covering the os, therefore it is partial because it isn’t the whole placenta on top of the cervix, but it is all a bit confusing...
I just want to accept it and be less frustrated to be honest, I do feel a bit stupid to be feeling like this...
It doesn’t help that different doctors have different opinions, the first doctor I spoke to wanted to book me a c section a week ago, then I asked for a second opinion from the senior consultant and he said it could be done later.
Also there is a debate about my due date, they think based on 12 weeks scan that I’m a week ahead than my calculations, but I’m pretty sure about my dates as I was tracking ovulation and I had 2 early scans in a different hospital which said the measurements were consistent with my dates.
I’m hoping to speak to the senior consultant today and decide the day.
I’m tired really, having trouble to sleep thinking of the best thing to do...also scared that any time things could happen, playing in my head what would I do in a case of an emergency.
I’m a bit scared of the c section itself, getting anxious about it as well.
Thanks for the replies, it isn’t easy to find people to talk about pp as it so uncommon. Thank God for internet.

I totally understand, and I've been reading endlessly too about risk/benefit of a 37/38/39 week delivery.

I'm happy with my own situation, because although she'll be born at 37+4, she's a good weight already (over 7lbs, my first son was 7lb 9oz at 42 weeks!) and I read that the steroid injections develop the lungs by three weeks, making her the equivalent of 40 anyway.

If it helps, I have had a 48 hr induced vaginal birth and an ELCS (due to transverse lie) and my God, the CS was brilliant. Would have picked that every time. I was up and walking the same day, no painkillers after a week, back to driving very quickly.

I found out about the placenta previa with this pregnancy at 18 weeks and it's been a long, stressful time worrying about sudden uncontrolled bleeding. I trust the surgeons' decision that this is the best time for her to be born, taking in all the variables.

I really hope you have a good meeting and please know I understand and am thinking about you xxx